by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2025

William Leo (Son) Gomes was born on September 13, 1923, in Everglades City, Florida, to Nellie Mary Hamilton, age 17, and Joaquin F “King” Gomes, age 25.

Joaquin (King) Gomes
Photo captions differ. One photo says: “Nellie HAMILTON Gomes holding Son Gomes, Florinda GOMES Hamilton holding Buddy Padilla on Mormon Key”. Another copy of this photo says “Rosalie and Nellie Hamilton”. At any rate, ONE of these women is Nellie Hamilton Gomes.

SIBLINGS

  • Vernon P. was born on July 14, 1926.
  • Harold Ray was born on June 10, 1934, in Key West, Florida.
  • Franklin D R was born in 1939.
  • Nellie Paula was born in 1947.

In 1935, William lived with his parents and siblings on Stock Island.

1935 U.S. Census


In 1940, William lived with his parents and siblings on the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys. He is listed as a worker for Overseas Highway Beautification. His father is listed as a fishing guide.

1940 U.S. Census

MILITARY

William served in the military on March 15, 1945, when he was 21 years old.

William enlisted with the Army on October 30, 1941 at Camp Blanding, Florida. His civil occupation was listed as “semiskilled chauffeurs and drivers, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor.” His height was listed as “68” and weight at “130.”

In January 1944, William was admitted to the hospital (diagnosis withheld by NARA). He was discharged from there in February of the same year.

On March 14, 1945, William, listed as Galleyman Merchant Marine S.S. Fort Sumpter, was sent to the ship “Florence Nightingale” “for transportation to Navy #128 FFT nearest U.S. Marine Hospital for checkup examinations.” His next of kin is listed as Ethel Gomes (wife) residing at 826 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Miami, Florida.

Frank and William Gomes
Frank and William Gomes

1st MARRIAGE

William Leo (Son) Gomes married Alma Isabelle Powers in Los Angeles, California, on May 9, 1955, when he was 31 years old. William Leo (Son) Gomes and Alma Isabelle Powers were divorced in January 1966 in Hillsborough, Florida, after 10 years of marriage. He was 42 years old.

2nd MARRIAGE

William Leo (Son) Gomes married Marjorie Drake Krasnodemski (Jack Joaquin’s obit lists her name as Marjie Krasnodemski)  in Los Angeles, California, on May 9, 1966, when he was 42 years old.

CHILDREN

Jack Joaquin was born on February 25, 1961, in Los Angeles, California.

DEATH

William Leo (Son) Gomes died in March 1986 in Fort Myers, Florida, when he was 62 years old. He was laid to rest at Indian Spring Cemetery in Punta Gorda, Florida, plot, Potter’s Field. 

SOURCES

1935 United States Federal Census; 1940 United States Federal Census; Florida Divorce Index, 1927-2001; News-Press; Publication Date: 17 Jan 1975; Publication Place: Fort Myers, Florida; U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 for William L Gomes; Florida Death Index, 1877-1998; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57395190/william-lee-gomes; Obituary Jack Joaquin Gomes, Published in Herald Tribune on Mar. 24, 2006, http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldtribune/obituary.aspx?n=jack-j-gomes&

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